Katsina health workers commenced the warning strike on October 14, appealing to ‘members of the public’ for understanding.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Following the intervention of Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, the Assembly of Health Care Professionals of Katsina State has suspended the seven-day warning strike it embarked upon on October 14.
The decision to call off the industrial action was announced on Sunday in a statement released by the assembly’s chairman, Ibrahim-Balange.
Earlier, the association announced the commencement of the warning strike on October 14 over unresolved issues concerning salary structure implementation and professional allowances.
When embarking on the strike, the body appealed to ‘members of the public to understand the situation and hold the government responsible for inconveniences that might arise from the industrial action.’
However, Balange in his latest statement said the health workers decided to return to their duties following commitments by Governor Radda to address their demands.
He noted that the suspension took effect at midnight on October 18, following a meeting between the association and the government on October 16.
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According to Balange, the decision followed the state government’s commitment to reopen negotiations and review the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and professional allowances.
He added that the government had also agreed to establish a Joint Technical Committee to resolve outstanding issues affecting health professionals.
The review will cover hazard, call duty, and shift duty allowances, as well as other entitlements under CONHESS, according to the chairman.
Balange went on to say that the government had committed to resolving the CONHESS 10 skipping issue for qualified officers in line with the Scheme of Service.
He said the committee would operate with defined terms of reference and a set timeline for addressing the outstanding demands.
Following the suspension, the chairman directed members to resume full clinical and administrative services across health facilities in the state from October 18.
